Podcast
Let's Talk Supply Chain
Hosted by Sarah Barnes-Humphrey · EN
My Name is Sarah Barnes-Humphrey and this is Let's Talk Supply Chain where I interview the top Supply Chain professionals in the industry. You will learn about best practices, changes in the industry and Hot Topics surrounding Supply Chain.
Have a specific question you want answered? E-mail us at listener@letstalksupplychain.com
40episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
545: Look At Your Supply Chain From Every Angle, with Pallet Alliance
1w ago00:43:07Tap to summarizeMary Casillo & Patrick Noone of Pallet Alliance talk about people, process, partnership & performance, & how their unique approach drives results for customers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.22] An introduction to Patrick and Mary, their backgrounds, and roles at Pallet Alliance. [04.42] An overview of Pallet Alliance, and the importance of using fit for purpose pallets. [07.20] What this year's MODEX theme, 'From Every Angle,' means to Pallet Alliance and supply chain optimization. "If you look at something from every angle, you're able to optimize it to the best it can be… And you're able to fix it from every angle." "It's the opportunity to tear something apart and say: 'How do we put this back together for you?'" [09.18] Why designing custom pallet programs is like playing Tetris, or being a detective. "Every customer is different, you have to figure out what fits where… And you're factfinding along the way." [10.37] A closer look at the journey to developing a new pallet program, from sourcing and testing through to suppliers and transportation, exactly why that process is so challenging, and Pallet Alliance's approach to problem-solving. "The amount of work is monumental. We're so successful because we do all of it for them with our pallet management program… We want to make people in procurement look good." [14.38] What makes Pallet Alliance's process different from traditional sourcing approaches. [17.00] In a landscape increasingly defined by AI, why Pallet Alliance strive to find the balance between people and technology, and why AI is only as good as the data you feed it. "Part of the challenge we have now is that people understand that the data is wrong, but they don't want to invest the time to allow us to fix it for them. Or, it's that automatic RFQ, without thinking about bad data in, bad analysis out." [24.19] The kind of impact Pallet Alliance customers typically see, and how they can continue to uncover substantial savings across locations even with long-term customers. "We can save millions year over year through cost savings, more efficiency, and education in general." "We're all pallet heads!!" [26.04] What results can look like for Pallet Alliance customers, and how to measure them. "We don't have a crystal ball, but we can see where things are going. And if we can see that, we can be proactive instead of reactive, and that's something our customers really appreciate." [28.19] A selection of case studies exploring how Pallet Alliance have helped customers avoid fines, improve customer experience, meet high demand, and utilize improved materials to boost resilience and drive huge cost savings. [33.46] Where teams should start when approaching a new pallet program, and the small steps they can take towards making meaningful change. [36.00] What Mary and Patrick want listeners to take away from today's discussion. "Pallets and crates are way more complicated than you think!!" RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Pallet Alliance's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Pallet Alliance and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or X (Twitter) or you can connect with Mary or Patrick on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Pallet Alliance, check out epsidoes: 501: Uncover Hidden Inefficiencies and Opportunities, with Pallet Alliance 482: Transform the Way Your Business Moves, with Pallet Alliance 146: A Holistic Approach to Pallets Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →544: How To Move Toward Intelligent, Connected Execution, with Infios
2w ago00:31:56Tap to summarizeScott Kramer of Infios talks about intelligent supply chain execution; why visibility & optimization are key building blocks; & leveraging AI the right way. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.25] An introduction to Scott, his role at Infios, and his background. [03.20] An overview of Infios, who they are, and what they do. [03.50] The ethos that has informed Infios's journey with AI and new technology. "From the beginning, our solution has been based around adaptability and openness. And now, with the advent of not just AI but AMRs, that openness has allowed us to navigate these waters more easily. We're flexible in how we can operate in this environment." [05.51] Why visibility and optimization are the building blocks for AI-enhanced execution. "Visibility and optimization are still important… But when we add the agents, they can understand what's going on, prescribe solutions, and take away a lot of the heavy lifting of research and analysis." [06.41] What Infios's recent supply chain execution readiness report reveals about how leaders are thinking about execution and optimization, particularly around manual workflows. "Some workflows have been optimized, but only within their silo. They may have optimized a workflow for transportation or warehouse – but how do you connect them?" [09.14] The biggest issue in the market right now with AI understanding and adoption. "People are asking us: "What are you doing right now with AI?" And that's the wrong question." [11.15] Where Scott sees companies on the reactive vs proactive scale right now, why mindset is still a limiting factor, and how visibility is changing. "People are still thinking in the ways they've traditionally solved problems. They're thinking about automating a single task; they're not thinking about connecting the dots together." [13.25] How leaders are thinking about the future of technology. "The art of what's possible has changed." [15.03] Why many AI pilots still aren't getting off the ground, and how we can actually create value from AI investments. "I've seen all too often: 'I have a great technology, now let me go and search for a problem.' We really need to start with the problem, then define the technology. AI is an amazing tool, when leveraged correctly." [18.13] What intelligent, connected execution should actually look like. [20.54] Training AI slowly, how bias is holding us back, and discovering what's really possible with AI. [22.53] The benefits to teams and businesses when they achieve intelligent, connected execution. [24.18] The small steps teams can take now to position for success. "Don't think of it as an LMS problem, WMS problem or TMS problem. Ultimately, it's a customer problem." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Infios' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Infios and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Scott on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Infios, check out 520: Enter the New Era of Supply Chain Management, with Infios or 532: Turning Purposeful AI into Business Outcomes, with Infios. Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →543: Embrace A Limitless Future, with IFS Softeon
3w ago00:36:09Tap to summarizeMark Fralick of IFS Softeon talks about what they do; measuring your warehouse tech ROI; joining IFS; being nimble; & embracing a limitless philosophy. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.27] Why Mark is still so passionate about supply chain after over 30 years in the industry. "I was in the industry before Amazon made it cool!... I'm driven by this idea of inspiration, it feeds me when folks come to us with ideas and notions… there's nothing better." [04.20] An introduction to Mark, his background, and how he came to join IFS Softeon. [05.17] Softeon's recent acquisition by IFS. [06.30] What the IFS acquisition means for Softeon, and the new chapter it unlocks for them and their clients. "All the things that made us successful are going to stay the same. But being part of IFS now allows us to tap into industrial AI and the abilities that being part of a larger, AI-forward organization brings." [08.40] The ideal client for IFS Softeon. [09.37] Why being nimble is critical in the current climate. "A lot of people don't think about that as a core competency of a system. But it should be! Speed is life in our world." [11.18] The importance of flow, recognizing that every business and warehouse is different, and why IFS Softeon's approach to solution design is a key differentiator for them. "I tend not to believe in industry practices, we should just eliminate bad practices and adopt good ones… I don't want to force some industry standard… We orient our systems to be micro-tuned to your business." [14.46] IFS Softeon's unique 'challenge and refine' process, and how it helps achieve that all-important flow. "It's co-ordinated movement, and that's the key." [16.05] What AI and new technology looks like now for IFS Softeon, and how it's helping companies combat variability and unlock the next level of optimization and resilience. "If you're going to employ digital workers, you need the same ability to have measurable results that you would expect from a team member, so how do you do that? We have a circular approach to define what the digital worker does, validate the results, tune it – and create a feedback loop." [20.20] How to determine which technology ROI measurement is right for your warehouse. [22.39] IFS Softeon's unique philosophy of being limitless, and what that means for technology, competitive advantage and positioning for the future. [26.16] Why Mark is so focused on time-to-value when it comes to new projects and clients. [28.07] The other exciting announcements IFS Softeon are sharing at MODEX. "It's a really cool, best-of-both-worlds approach." [30.46] Mark's key takeaway from today's discussion. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to IFS Softeon's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with IFS Softeon and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →542: End Yard Blindness For Good, with Aviro360
4w ago00:29:49Tap to summarizeIlhan Kolko of Aviro360 talks about yard blindness and how visibility & clearer decision-making shifts teams from reactive execution to predictable performance. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.31] An introduction to Ilhan and the career journey that led him to Aviro360. [03.39] The industry challenges that led to the creation of Aviro360, and why they 'built what the industry needed.' "It's a huge industry, and you have all these generations of technology within the yard and warehouse. But at the yard level, visibility is rare... And you can't manage what you can't see." [05.13] The ideal client for Aviro360. [05.59] Exactly what yard blindness means, and what Aviro360 research highlights around where and how it shows up. "There's not a lack of software in the industry! But there's a lack of real-time input from the yard. You don't know where assets are, who checked in and out, how long it took to process – and you don't have control over the decisions being made." [07.45] From congestion to safety, the big business impacts of yard blindness. "To mitigate, operators either slow down, to not make mistakes – so the entire operations slow down – or they rush, and give up on safety and security." [09.34] Why yard blindness is causing decision latency, and how that impacts throughput and reliability. "It's all about data confidence. Decision latency is not only an inefficiency, but your service quality also goes down. Everything you offer to your customers, everything in your ecosystem – it's all impacted negatively. There's brand erosion that goes along with it." "If you have 6,000 containers in the yard, we can capture the entire inventory in less than an hour, with 99% accuracy." [13.45] Shifting visibility from passive to actionable to drive results, without manual labor. "When you have reliable data, used in a proactive way, it helps us execute workflows perfectly." [15.31] How Aviro360 solutions bridge the gap and work alongside existing systems to solve issues with legacy tech and siloes. "We don't want to be a system of record – we want to be a system of reality." [18.23] What integration and onboarding looks like with Aviro360. [20.34] How better visibility and clearer decision-making helps teams move from reactive execution to predictable performance. [21.47] How Aviro360 helps customers save more than $650,000 per year, per site. "We've become part of our customers AI transformation story." [24.26] 'This is real' – Ilhan's final takeaway from today's discussion. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Aviro360's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Aviro360 and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Ilhan on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →541: How 3PLs and Consultants are Reshaping Warehouse Automation, with TGW Logistics
Apr 2700:30:02Tap to summarizeMeagan Gauthier of TGW Logistics talks about how 3PLs and consultants are reshaping warehouse automation, and the business potential in transformation. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.13] An introduction to Meagan and her role at TGW Logistics. "I have an engineering background, so that allows me to connect the operational KPI's to the financial realities and ROI in a very practical way. I help simplify automation decisions, align stakeholders and help clients feel more confident in investment in automation." [03.27] An overview of TGW Logistics – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. "We are Team Possible!" [05.33] The evolution of the warehouse automation industry, the impact of decisions made during the pandemic, and where the industry is now. "The industry has shifted from an urgency-based automation to a strategy-based automation... We're seeing companies hone in on smart, scalable, flexible integration and total system performance." [08.18] With a 2025 survey revealing that 63% of respondents say their operations are still fully manual, where TGW see organizations on their automation and integration journeys, and the mindset shift that's starting to move the needle. [11.20] How leading 3PLs and consultants are reshaping warehouse automation, and the one thing that's top of mind for all of them. [14.12] The common gaps TGW see between expectations and strategy decks and real-world execution, the key focus areas to drive success, and why culture is critical. "Feedback is a gift!" [17.26] How integrators can partner more successfully with consultants, the questions they should be asking, and the mindset they should be embracing to drive success. "It starts with curiosity and neutral alignment." [18.50] Who actually influences decisions when multiple stakeholders are involved in transformation projects, from executives and operations to finance and IT, and how teams can navigate that complexity. "The teams that can translate and speak the language of their stakeholders, those are the teams that win." [20.42] Meagan's approach to building long-term partnerships, not just transactional sales. [21.56] TGW's 3D walkthrough that brings typically 2D product demos to life. [23.18] The potential business impact that can be achieved through successful warehouse automation. "Warehouse automation, done right, is a competitive advantage not a cost center." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to TGW Logistics' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with TGW and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, or you can connect with Meagan on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show and want to hear more from TGW Logistics, check out 465: Your Fulfillment Transformation Starts Now, with TGW Logistics. Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →540: Discover Why Visibility Isn't Fixing The Last Mile, with OneRail
Apr 2000:44:55Tap to summarizeBill Catania of OneRail talks about why visibility isn't fixing the last mile, simplifying complex tech stacks & translating AI investment into outcomes. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.49] An introduction to Bill and OneRail, and how their commitment to innovation and collaboration has seen many of their customers become investors. "About a third of our capital has come from our partners – and there's no greater compliment." [05.38] OneRail's attendance at Manifest over the years, and the current conversations dominating the show, from AI to partnership. "AI is the topic of the day. I don't want to say it's an over-used term, but we have to be specific. Is it AI-native, agentic AI or AI optimization?" [07.51] How OneRail has evolved alongside their customers needs, the current landscape of last mile, and how the big factors impacting it are translating into challenges for businesses. "Wholesalers have to solve problems further up in the order stream." "When you have a start-up, you learn more about yourself as you grow. Our early positioning was last mile orchestration. That's not what we are any more. We're a transformation enabler for the whole order lifecycle." [12.21] Visibility alone doesn't solve problems – why execution is key. "Visibility is a great thing, there's a lot of growth from a tech standpoint. But the industry is looking at visibility and saying: 'Now what?'" [14.39] Why visibility is only a starting point, how OneRail future-proofed their platform by building with AI from the ground up, and how companies should be using AI now. [22.43] Why early AI investments aren't necessarily driving the expected outcomes, the importance of simplifying complex tech stacks, and why AI is making SaaS solutions work harder. "There's a lot of experimentation, but it all comes back to working with solutions that are natively producing primary data. And you need to narrow your stack." [25.34] Turning AI and visibility into outcomes. "The problem is not having a clear vision of what the outcomes need to be… Be an expert in your outcomes. If you can't work backwards, I don't see how you can even implement an AI solution." [26.58] How OneRail implemented an AI delivery support solution, where AI answered 41% of calls for faster customer response times and increased profitability, and the importance of finding the balance between people and technology. [28.38] The opportunities for growth when you work with OneRail, how continuous improvement is critical to success, and why OneRail is putting a focus on profit-per-stop to turn transportation from cost center to revenue driver. [33.11] Bill's advice for making your next steps with AI a success. [36.40] The intersection of shopper marketing, payments and supply chain – what excites Bill about the future of the industry, and his predictions for 2026. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to OneRail's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with OneRail and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or X (Twitter) or you can connect with Bill on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show and want to hear more from OneRail, we have plenty more great content for you. Check out: 496: AI-Powered, Human-Led – Discover the Future of Routing, with OneRail 481: Combine the Power of In-House and Outsourced Fleet Management, with OneRail 461: Go Behind the Scenes of a History-Making Partnership, with OneRail and PepsiCo 440: Level Up Your Fulfillment Capabilities, with OneRail 419: Discover OmniPoint Inventory Visibility and Tackle Shrinkage, with OneRail 393: Get 100% Visibility Over Your Final Mile, with OneRail 349: Deliver a Frictionless Last Mile, with OneRail Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →539: Discover How Express Shipping Shapes Modern Commerce, with ShipStation and DHL Express
Apr 1300:38:35Tap to summarizeJesscia Webb of ShipStation & Rachel McGarry of DHL Express talk about changing consumer behavior & how express shipping & new tech is shaping modern commerce. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.14] An introduction to Jessica and her role at ShipStation, and Rachel and her role at DHL Express. [03.50] The evolution of the e-commerce market and the factors influencing it, from cost to consumer experience. "The shopping experience for consumers has changed. Now shopping and shipping is the same." [07.03] What ShipStation's recent report reveals about customer expectations for delivery, and how much they're willing to pay for premium and express shipping. [09.18] How delivery speed translates to brand trust, credibility and reliability, and the online research consumers are willing to carry out to find the right shopping experience. "If you don't have those options, the customer will go to another brand. Delivery options and speed are part of the full brand and shopping experience, starting at the checkout." [11.50] Willingness to pay: when and where consumers typically expect free shipping, when they're happy to pay, and how much. [16.52] How technology with ShipStation helps SMBs get visibility into buyer behavior around shipping choices. [18.42] How SMBs can turn this data into customer insights to make smarter, more confident decisions. [19.40] What ShipStation's report reveals about AI-mediated shopping, and how companies need to invest in AI if they want to get ahead of the game. "80% of customers are already using some sort of AI chatbot for shopping or decision-making… So if that many people are willing to trust AI in their day-to-day life, it's something that e-commerce brands need to take seriously." [21.54] Why AI and a lack of accurate data can undermine trust if done wrong. "The fragility is in the data." [23.05] How SBMs can compete, in a climate where margins are being squeezed from all angles, and what they can leverage as a differentiator instead of a focus on price. "Having this data and understanding what customers are actually willing to pay for that premium delivery will help you keep those margins under control." [24.36] The top three priorities for e-commerce businesses, the importance of testing solutions and measuring outcomes, and how you can focus on speed and convenience without sacrificing profitability. [26.42] A case study exploring how one ShipStation customer leveraged the rate shopping feature to multiply operations x3 in peak season without adding headcount, whilst another was able to expand into new regions and create new revenue streams. [30.59] What 2026 is going to bring for the industry and ShipStation. "There's a lot of uncertainty, but with that shift there's such incredible areas of opportunity for carriers and technologies to unite in a way that's really meaningful." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to ShipStation's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with ShipStation and keep up to date with the latest over on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram, or you can connect with Jessica or Rachel on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →538: Enjoy Ecommerce Delivery at the Speed of Flight, with DeliverDirect
Apr 800:40:31Tap to summarizeJeffrey Elder of Delta Air Lines & Derreck Travers of SmartKargo talk about DeliverDirect & combining speed, tech & simplicity for the best shipping experience. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.06] An introduction to Derreck and SmartKargo. [02.33] An overview of DeliverDirect – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. "We're an alternative delivery network… We're pulling different carriers together, with Delta as the middle mile." [05.47] The ideal client for DeliverDirect. [06.54] Why speed is a top priority for e-commerce businesses, the challenge of balancing speed and cost, and how DeliverDirect's network helps tackle that. "The most successful e-commerce companies have strategies focused on serving the customer with speed. But the challenge retailers have is that speed often comes with a cost." [09.28] How Delta partnered with SmartKargo to create DeliverDirect, specifically to tackle shipper's key pain points from predictability to pricing. "It's January, you've planned the year and know the numbers you have to execute to. And then, a few weeks later, someone upgrades 1,000 zip codes to the next zone, and all your rates increase… For shippers, it makes it really difficult to plan – and we're talking about big dollars." [13.01] How Delta recognized its own limitations when wanting to enter the small package delivery business, what they were looking for in a partner, and how and why they chose SmartKargo. "Innovation is important for Delta, but recognizing what we do well, and what we don't do well, has also been very important. That's how things really came together." [15.51] A closer look at how the solution works, from pickup to doorstep. [19.40] The technology that powers DeliverDirect, and how businesses can customize their solution with add-on features. [21.36] What integration, communication and customer relationships look like with DeliverDirect. "Lots of service providers are trying to reduce cost, and they're making things self service. We've gone out of our way to do the opposite. We're very integrated and engaged with customers." [23.55] The biggest benefits revealed from DeliverDirect's recent customer survey. [27.18] How DeliverDirect is helping businesses reduce cost and make sustainability progress. [28.30] A case study exploring how DeliverDirect helped a small retailer optimize delivery, with cost in mind, to reduce delivery speed by days and enhance customer satisfaction. [32.55] Jeffrey and Derreck's predictions for the year ahead, and what they'll be focusing on at DeliverDirect. "It's a great time to be a shipper, but there will be a capacity crunch… There's a lot of players in this business now. There's going to be a lot of pressure put on businesses to be viable and profitable. And I worry that customer experience is going to suffer as a result." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to DeliverDirect's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with DeliverDirect and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Jeffrey or Derreck on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →537: How To Ask Better Questions and Drive Project Success, with Brecham Group
Apr 600:46:43Tap to summarizeChris Hamley of Brecham Group talks about setting projects up for success; asking better questions; why implementation isn't the end; & progress NOT perfection. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.01] An introduction to Chris and Brecham Group. "Too many organizations focus on perfection. Really, our goal is to suck less. It's to get better, change how you think about the way you do business, and evolve every day." [06.25] Why technology projects fail: the problem with people, why we need to define what failure actually looks like, and the experience that taught Chris to ask better questions. "Too often it's not that the project was a failure, but it's that it didn't achieve the success that was expected… And the degree of that is defined by: how well did we talk and understand what we were doing – and were we ready for it?" [12.10] The importance of diving deep, before you even start a project, and how mismatched expectations and project failures can be prevented by having better conversations. "It's more than asking better questions, it's having better conversations. Because when you're asking a question, you're looking for an answer… How do you give a conversation prompt instead of a yes or no? That uncovers the detail." [17.06] From a lack of shared language to rigidity in project structures, why customers don't ask the right questions or have the right conversations up front. "People have a fear, because they don't always have that breadth of knowledge, of asking questions that make them look stupid. I've never suffered from that!" [21.34] The key questions businesses should ask potential partners at the beginning of any new project. [24.10] Chris's advice for facilitating better communication between client and vendor. "You've got to come without ego or fear about what you do or don't know… Hear about what other people have done to be successful, and learn from it." [26.11] How companies can keep positive communication going over time, and why the 'course-correcting' part of a project is more important than the 'go-live.' "There's a misnomer that implementation is the end of a project – in reality it's maybe 60%. Then it becomes: what did we expect on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis, how do we expect the results to change, what will adoption look like... And that's a joint conversation." [31.06] Whether striving for perfection is ever realistic. "If you had a static environment where everything was the same every single day, you could probably be perfect at it. But I don't know where that exists." [32.12] The impact created when companies do ask the right questions and have better conversations with their partners. "It's about value realization. We all have financial or performance objectives we're trying to hit. When we have better conversations… it ultimately allows you to achieve the overall result faster." [37.51] What businesses need to be thinking about now to prepare for success in 2027. [38.59] Teaser alert: news on a brand new project partnership between Brecham and Let's Talk Supply Chain. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Brecham Group's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Brecham Group and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Chris on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Brecham Group, check out 515: Experience Precision Supply Chain Operations, with Brecham Group or their live show Performance Paradox. Find our other podcasts HERE.
Transcribe →536: Prevent Supply Disruptions and Protect Revenue, with FourKites
Apr 100:48:09Tap to summarizeStephen Dyke of FourKites talks about inbound logistics: fragmentation; manual work; data siloes; AI; & why the receiving dock is such an under-invested area. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.25] An introduction to Stephen, his background combining computing and supply chain and, as a self-confessed 'passionate practitioner,' what he loves about supply chain. [07.05] An overview of FourKites – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. "Over the last five years, we've really become a supply chain orchestration control tower… and embedded persona-based AI agents." [10.33] Why 2026 MIT research found that fragmented inbound logistics is still wreaking havoc across organizations, what that fragmentation typically looks like, the big impacts coming from it, and what that all means for businesses. "On average, a common inbound operation can have anywhere between six and eight different internal applications that teams need to be able to plan and execute against. That's created siloes… and fragmentation naturally spirals." [14.38] Why the transfer of data is central to the issue of fragmentation and siloes, the core business disciplines that need access to historically logistics-owned data, and how they're actually getting it. "Data is everywhere… But it's not distilled and harmonized into one connected language." [19.41] The type of manual work inbound teams are still doing daily, the problem with human validation, and why a shift from reactive to proactive action is critical. [22.31] From manual status updates and delay notifications to document processing, what supplier communication typically looks like and why it's so hard. "Since EDI, every operational team has been chasing standardization, compliance and reliability. But there's not going to be a perfect standard format, a perfect technology." [24.47] The first thing you should do if your inbound process still runs on spreadsheets and phone calls, and why transformation and innovation is more than just an operational benefit. "Qualify and quantify the level of pain, challenges and tolerance that you have across the whole execution ecosystem." "I've never been around an operational team that doesn't look for that thrill of modernizing – there's a great mental and emotional benefit that comes from trying to drive ones destiny forward." [30.13] Why the receiving dock and yard don't get as much attention as areas like outbound delivery, and the business cost of not looking at them equally. [33.02] The power of AI within your ecosystem, and how it can change the way teams make decisions. "When AI is placed within the broader supply chain planning and execution capability, a lot of great opportunities arise." [37.05] The key tenants of gold standard inbound logistics, and the potential benefits from achieving it. [40.27] The one thing listeners should take away from this conversation. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED Head over to FourKite's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with FourKites and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube, or you can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from FourKites, check out 235: Use Real-Time Visibility To Transform Your Entire Supply Chain, with FourKites. Check out our other podcasts HERE.
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